Roar officials confirmed they'd secured North's signature on a three and a half year deal on Tuesday night.

He will arrive with his wife and young children within the next week.

Brisbane managed to do what both Ange Postecoglou (Melbourne Victory) and Frank Farina (Sydney FC) failed to recently by securing North's services.

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North, who has been playing for Consadole Sappora in the Japanese J League, has been signed as a defender as the two-time champions undergo a shake up under new mentor Mike Mulvey who recently replaced head coach Rado Vidosic.

"Jade has an excellent footballing pedigree and will bring a great deal of experience and knowledge to our squad," Mulvey said.

"He is a proven winner and has a great appetite for future success."

At the time of the A-League approaches, North was encourage by national coach Holger Osieck to remain in Japan.

However his club Sappora are heading for relegation and he was keen to come home.

Having started his professional career at the Brisbane Strikers in the National Soccer League in 1998, North said he was excited to be returning to where it all started.

"I'm looking forward to putting one foot forward and contributing to the legacy Brisbane Roar has created over the past two seasons and doing all I can to help add to the trophy cabinet," North said.

"For me it's exciting to know I will be playing in front of family and friends, but most importantly for the city which groomed me as a player."

After confirming on Tuesday they had already released attacking midfielder Rocky Visconte, who has been linked to the Western Sydney Wanderers, it's tipped the Roar will also lose lightning quick attacker Nick Fitzgerald to the Central Coast Mariners during the A-League's transfer window.

Brisbane have mid-field issues which could also see the popular Erik Paartalu closely examining his options in the next few weeks.

Brisbane can squeeze North under its salary cap as a marquee player with financial assistance from the FFA.

Winners of the last two grand finals, Brisbane have been struggling for wins this season.

They dumped Vidosic as coach late last month appointing him technical director and bringing in hired gun Mulvey.

They staged a mini comeback with back-to-back wins over Adelaide United and Wellington Phoenix but the wheels came off again with a 3-2 loss to Melbourne Heart on Sunday.